“That is my name,” said Jack.
“Well, I don’t know whether it is or not. But before I am through with you it won’t make much difference what your name is—perhaps I should say, was.”
Jack made no reply to this threat and the count continued:
“It grieves me much that I cannot also have with us your friend and fellow-spy. I would have brought him along, but I couldn’t very well carry both of you. So I chose you, because you are the largest.”
“Thanks,” said Jack dryly.
“Oh, well,” said the count, “I’ll go back when I have disposed of you. Maybe he will still be there.”
“In that event,” said Jack to himself, “it is up to me to play for time.” Aloud he said: “Seems to me one of us should satisfy you.”
“So it would, under ordinary circumstances,” said the count. “But these are extraordinary circumstances. You both tricked me. Therefore you shall both pay. If I cannot find your friend when I return to hunt for him, I shall find him later.”
“There is one thing that pleases me, at any rate,” said Jack.
“I am glad to hear that,” returned the count. “Would it be impolite for me to inquire what that one thing may be?”